HAJJ, THE PILGRIMAGE TO
OF EID-UL- ZUHA (BAKR’ID)
Author: SHAIK MAHABOOB
The Hajj makes Muslims feel real importance of life here on earth, and the after life, by stripping away all markers of social status, wealth, and pride. The Hajj symbolizes all are truly equal before Allah. It occurs in the month of Dhu-ul- Hajjah or Zhu-ul-Hajjah, the twelfth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It is the journey that every sane adult Muslim must undertake at least once in their lives if they can afford to perform and are physically, mentally and financially sound. At least once in a lifetime, each Muslim is expected to undertake a pilgrimage to
The Hajj is commanded in the Holy Qur’an “And pilgrimage to the House is a duty unto God for mankind, for him who can find the way thither" (3:97) and its rites were established by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), but Muslim tradition dates back to Prophet Adam (PBUH) and Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH), who were instructed by angels in the performance of the rites. The Hajj was one of the last public acts of worship performed by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) before his death”.
Now coming to the formalities of Hajj, the Hajjis (pilgrims) upon arrival at the boundary line of
After entering the Holy city of Mecca, the pilgrims goes to the grand Mosque of Ka’ba or Ka’batullah and then performs optional Tawa’f called Tawa’f-ul- Qudoom and then the pilgrims first walks around the Ka’ba seven times (the Tawa’f or circumambulation) while reciting the Talbiya, then kisses or touches the Haj’r - e- aswad, elliptical Black Stone, located in the corner of Ka'ba, prays Two Raka’ts of Sunnat - ut- Tawa’f preferably near Mukham-e-Ibrahim, the Station of Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) in Ka’ba and runs seven times between the small mountains of As- Safa and Al- Marwa, called Saei’y.
This is the practice in commemoration with Hajira, wife of Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) and Prophet Isma’il (PBUH). It is believed in Islam that Hajira went on nursing Isma’il and drinking from the well water until it was all completely dried up. Hajira became very thirsty and her tender son Isma’il was crying and she left him on the hills of Al- Marwa and hurried to the nearest hill, As-Safa. Hajira stood there and started looking at the valley with a ray of hope that she might see somebody, but she could not notice any one. She descended from As-Safa, crossed the valley running and reached Al-Marwa hill. She stood and once again started looking but could see nobody. She kept running between As-Safa and Al-Marwa seven times. When she reached Al-Marwa for the last time, she was exhausted; she sat next to Isma’il. Then she heard a voice. She stood up and said: "O whoever you might be! Have you got something to help me?' She saw an angel, Angel Jibrael or Angel Gabriel digging the earth until water flowed! She built a little basin around it. She scooped water with her hands, drank, filled her water skin pouch, and nursed her son Isma’il. The place from which water flowed was Aa’b-e- Zamzam. Muslims till this day drink from the holy water of Zamzam and during Hajj, the Pilgrims run between Al- Safa and Al-Marwa seven times to commemorate this event. The origin of the custom of true believers running between Al- Safa and Al- Marwa at the time of Hajj is deeply connected with Hajira, the mother of Prophet Isma'il (peace be upon him);
The second Phase of the Hajj takes place between the 8th and 12th day of Dhu al-Hajjah, beginning with a sermon (Khutba) at the Masjid on the 7th day. On the 8th day of Dhu al-Hajjah the pilgrims goes to Mina, a place three miles from Mecca, before the time of Salat- ul- zuhr (Noon Prayer) and spends there the rest of the day and in night the pilgrims stay at Mina or Arafat. On the 9th day, the ritual of Wuquf (standing) takes place at the small hill of Jabal-al-Rahmath (Maidan-e- Arafat) in Arafat, about seven miles from Mecca. And after the sun set Pilgrims leaves the Mauqaf’s (staying places) after offering Salat-ul Maghrib (evening prayer), the pilgrims then returns to Muzdalifa, a small town within the Meccan boundaries, to offer Salat-ul- Ish’aa (Night prayer) and to stay in the night. The 10th day of the Hajj, the pilgrims proceeds from Muzdalifa after offering Salat-ul- Fajr (Early Morning Prayer) picking at least 47 pebbles from here and comes to Mina. The pilgrims then takes up 7 pebbles and catching between the index finger and the thumb of the right hand, throws them one by one at the Pillars Jam ‘rat-ul- uqbah (the pillars represent sins and devils) on the same day.
The 10th day of Dhu al-Hajjah is observed as Eid-ul- Zuha (Bakr’id) (The Feast of Sacrifice) a major holiday observed by all Muslims. For those participating in the Hajj, the day is spent in Mina, where the pilgrims sacrifice an animal to commemorate Prophet Ibrahim's sacrifice. Then the Pilgrims shaves off preferably the whole head or the hair is trimmed, which marks the end of the state of Ihra’am. The pilgrims then returns to Mecca, where they once again perform the Tawaf Ifada (circumambulation of the Ka'ba) and after which the pilgrims offer two Raka’ts of Sunnat prayers and then accomplishes Saei’y. And after the mid day of the 11th and 12th of Dhu -al Hajjah, the pilgrims in the order mentioned, the Pillars called Jam rat - ul-Oola, Jam rat-ul- Wusta and Jam rat –ul- Uqbah throws 7 pebbles against each of them reciting “Bismillahi Allahu Akbar” Then finally the pilgrims returns to Mecca on the 12th of Dhu -al Hajjah and before leaving to Mecca for one’s own country; the pilgrims perform a departing Tawaf called Tawaf-ul- wida. It is very commendable for a pilgrim to pay a visit to shrine of Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) at
Hajj also commemorates the stories of Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH), his wife Hajira and son Prophet Isma’il (PBUH) and above all it demonstrates the significance of the Eid- ul- Zuha (Bakr’id), the eid of Sacrifice, and it has been assigned various other meanings throughout the centuries. The rite of sacrifice also owes its origin to the Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) and his obedient son Prophet Isma’il (PBUH);
It is recited in Holy Qur’an that Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) received a Divine Command from Allah to sacrifice his beloved son Isma’il. Both of them stood the test with credit. Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) decided to fulfill the vision on one hand whereas the Prophet Isma'il (PBUH) was ready with alacrity to lay down his life to win the favour and pleasure of Allah. But Almighty Allah wanted to put them to test, and it was a tough test indeed. During one night, Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) had a dream. He came to Prophet Isma’il (PBUH) and said: "O my beloved son Isma’il! I have seen in a dream that I am slaughtering you as a sacrifice to Allah, so what do you think?" They both realized that this was a command from Allah. Prophet Isma’il (PBUH) replied without any fear or hesitation: "Do what you are commanded by Allah, you shall find me very patient Insha Allah." Obviously they both submitted to the will of Allah. Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) laid his son prostrate, put his forehead on the ground and directed a sharp knife towards his neck. At this very moment, Allah called him: "O Ibrahim! You have fulfilled the dream! Thus do we reward the good doers! “That a big sheep was sent down from heaven to be slaughtered instead of Isma’il, which Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) did, and they both had a big celebration that day. It is Eid- ul- Zuha (Bakr’id); the historical event celebrated by all the Muslims every year by slaughtering the sacrificial sheep;
Once in a year, Muslims of every ethnic group, colour, social status, and culture gather together in
SHAIK MAHABOOB
Advocate and Notary Public,
Govt of
#5, FF, Girimaji Rao Complex,
K.G. Halli,
Bangalore-560 045.
